‘Scandal’ that reports on church child sex abuse still not complete

It is “a scandal” that reviews of the handling of child abuse allegations in all 26 dioceses are not complete, six years after the National Board for Safeguarding Children was set up, Baroness Nuala O’Loan has said.

The former Northern Ireland police ombudsman yesterday praised the integrity of Ian Elliott of the national board but said the board was under-resourced.

“History tells us that there may today still be men in active ministry, against whom allegations were made, which were never investigated,” she said.

The board released six diocesan audits last year and plans more in May or June. Ferns, Dublin and Cloyne were subjects of earlier investigations. Ms O’Loan spoke at the launch of the book Can I Stay in the Catholic Church? by Fr Brian Lennon which looks at the response to child abuse and its cover up.